Chiang Mai - February 2025

How to enjoy 2 days 2 nights in Chiang Mai!

One day in December 2024, I got a special gift with a voucher to experience hot air balloon in Chiang Mai for 2 persons. I called my friend Yui and asked if she want to join with me this time. And the quicker answer than my question was "yes". Then we find the date, find ticket and room. And it fixed on 21-23 February 2025.

21st February 

The balloon will start near Horizon Village Resort, so we booked first night there to save distance at early morning. And we book late night flight on 21 February around 21.30hrs and arrived Chiang Mai around 22.30hrs. I booked airport transfer as it late night so it was easier if we can be sure that someone will pick us up immediately when we arrive.

There was another surprise, another friend Fang also plan to visit her family in Chiang Mai and her flight is similar time with us. So, she joined transfer with us and also one night at Horizon Village. 

We arrived resort late night and rush to shower and say good night as we have to wake up at 05.00am and arrive at the meeting point at 06.20am.

22nd February

Woke up at 05.00am with the good temperature is not easy but our purpose is more important, so me and Yui were ready at meeting point on time. While Fang changed her mind and prefer to sleep more.

Balloon Adventure is only one professional company for hot air balloon in Thailand. They have 20th experience with this activity. 

Staff prepared everything and around 07.00am seemed everything ready

This balloon is medium size for 4 persons with captain. Me and Yui and another 2 foreigners got in the basket.

This is my 4th times do this activity in Thailand. Yui tried it in Turkey once but never do in Thailand yet so she so excited.

It was a nice timing

We saw the sun rising slowly above the mountains and rice fields

But we were so lucky to see both the sun and the moon at the same time. You can see small smiley moon on the top of below photo

The weather was so good, the windblown around us and keep the balloon stay still and enjoy bird eyes view

I heard captain said that the wind was a bit too slow then we can move. Then he makes it float up higher

And finally, we were at 3400ft asl (3400feet above sea level)

Then we saw wider view. I like the color of the color of sky while the sun looks like also float up like our balloon :)

The view we saw was amazing and the weather was good

It was around 40 minutes passed, and captain prepared for landing

There were 5 staff standby on ground to make sure that we land safely

And the great experience was finished with full of the memories of stunning view from the sky we saw.

They took us back to the meeting point by car

And below we leave, captain explain about the history of balloon. And we tired this activity

They gave certificate with a nice photo took by captain for our memory

We return to resort and prepare for check out while Fang woke up and ready to leave as well.

The resort has 302rai area and they have big plantation, flower garden, minizoo and playground so they arrange the tram to see around area before check out

We took a car to city side. Fang separates to visit her family. I and Yui continue to the hotel which we booked for 2nd night near train station. At The Train is small hotel with walking distance to the train station. I booked this hotel because we will take a train on Sunday. After checked in and left our luggage at hotel. We continued to walking street call "Chang Moi". Our plan was to find something for lunch. 

But while walking on the road there we found a Thai massage school look nice. So, we stopped by and found professional therapists there. So, we spent 2 hours for massage. 

Finished massage around 13.30hrs and it was time for lunch.

We took a tri-wheel to the noodle shop which was recommended by the therapist. 

This noodle shop name is KASEM NOODLE, and it located just 5 minutes away from massage shop. 

Yui ordered pork and mine is beef. 

And we order crispy wanton for appetizer and black ice Thai coffee for drink. When they served, the size of the bowl is big, and noodle is big portion as well. The taste is so good, and the meat is good quality.

Crispy wanton is so delicious, as well as drink. 

We were enjoyed lunch and when we check the bill, we were surprised with THB 188 for 2 noodles, 2 dishes of crispy wanton and also 2 drinks. So, cheap!

We left the noodle shop and continue to meet our friend Chompoo who live in Chiang Mai. We had great time with afternoon tea set with chat time at Na Nirand Hotel. This hotel located by the Ping River, so the view is amazing. 

I like their starter, a big piece of watermelon top with mix fresh fruits and crispy coconut. 

I love tea so I order hot Vintage Jasmine Green Tea. But Yui prefers ice and she order fruit juice. 

The main set of afternoon tea is so nice. Actually, we were full by noodle, but we have good reason to try some pieces of afternoon tea

I like these two pieces the most

We spent around one hour with Chompoo and left back to hotel to relax. 

Finished afternoon tea with Chompoo, we moved to another side of city to visit another friend Lek who own the art shop

Her products always created and unique

We spent around 40 minutes at Lek's shop and left back to hotel

Yui lay down on the bed and take a nap while I turn on my laptop to check some works. 

Around one 2 hours later, we both ready for dinner then we walked from our hotel along the road near the train station. Hotel's staff suggested us walk to main road to find variety of food.

As we found a Korean BBQ restaurant look interesting. We stopped there and order pork set around THB 450 per person

The quality of the meat is good and fresh vegetable and side dishes were refill until we full

Left the restaurant and we walk on another direction to hotel to burn out our dinner. The weather was nice, so it was good to walk longer

Arrived Back to hotel, shower and prepare to sleep. I checked and cleared all work on mobile then turned off the light.

23rd February

0600am I woke up, prepared myself and be ready at 0700am and Yui woke up. We were ready and driver picked us up on time at 0800am. It was raining so we changed our plan from visiting the flower market to find some place for breakfast (as we booked room without breakfast)

We start the day in Chang Moi area again.

Tai Toon Baan is the name of the restaurant which serve lite breakfast. We arrived there at good time, and got nice table

We order difference menu and share. 

Yui order congee and pan-fried eggs (Khai Krata) and Thai iced tea. 

I ordered breakfast set with iced chocolate 

I like all dishes. Food served so quick and staff services with friendly smile.

Prices is reasonable

After breakfast, we got some nice shots before left to the car

We moved to train station to buy ticket for normal train from Chiang Mai to Lumphun. We wanted to visit the tunnel at Khun Tan station

There are around 6 stations with a nice scenic view until we reach to Khun Tan station which took around 1.30hrs.

And it was nice to visit this place

We got many nice shots with and without the train.

There is a train arriving and another train leaving by tunnel.

Actually, I saw there is a sign of Khun Tan National Park there but today is not good day to visit national park, so we skip it.

We continued to the city of Lumphun.  And visit the famous temple of this province "Wat Phra That Haripunchai Woramahawihan. 

I visit this temple every time that I travel to Lamphun. Besides of history, I like architecture and the buddha image.

There should be some ceremony as we saw some beautiful decoration still there

We spent time at the temple around 30 minutes then move to restaurant for lunch

Driver suggested the restaurant name Dao Ka Nong. A Thai northern and northeastern food style.

We ordered some signature menu

All are good taste

Fang request this set menu, and she like it

This one is Yui's favorite

And this one is mine favorite

We were enjoyed lunch and after that get in the car and return to Chiang Mai

On the way, our driver took us along the beautiful road where there are lots of big tree more than hundred years old

So, we stop to get some memory shots

We seemed to arrive airport too early as the traffic is not bad on Sunday. 

So, we stopped by at avenue near airport to have some desert at one of my cafe

And we were at the good time, as they have seasonal menu

Ma Muang Bao, young green mango ice cream. Fang order same as me as she love mango

Yui just has smoothies. We spent time at the cafe around 30 minutes and left to airport

We had done online check in and carry only small bag, so we saved lots of time for check in and luggage scan.

The airport quite crowed as it was Sunday evening. Some Thai people return to Bangkok for work on Monday after spent their weekend with family in Chiang Mai

Flight departed on time. And we arrived in Bangkok 15 minutes earlier than schedule

We finished our quick trip 2 days 2 nights Chiang Mai-Lamphun completely.  The time may look too short, but we had done many activities and enjoyed every hour during trip. 

Travel do not need long period and perfect plan. What you need is just thought to go out for travel and do it as much as you can. No matter a day or a week or a month. This is the best life detox for everyone.

My next trip is to Pattaya!